Growing Your Own Winter Bloomers: A Simple Guide to Bulb Gardening in Wax Candles
I've always found delight in nurturing flower bulbs through the winter inside my home, but I often fail to remember to water or care for them properly. Wax candles, however, are a favorite of mine for several reasons. They're low-maintenance, inexpensive, and an excellent project for beginners. With wax candles, you don't even need to water – just a little sunlight.
Is it Possible to Grow Bulbs in Wax Candles in Winter?
While you might have encountered wax candles sold for up to $20–$30 at stores, the candles themselves are relatively inexpensive. Even late in the season, I managed to snag three giant Amaryllis bulbs from Lowe's for only $21. You'll be amazed at how far your money can go when you grow your own bulbs. All you need are the bulbs and some wax. Once the bulbs have grown, they don't need water or fertilizer; they already have everything they need.
A thing to note: bulbs are perennial. If you plant them outdoors, they can return year after year, provided you leave enough foliage to allow the plant to survive until the next season. It can be challenging to convert bulbs grown in wax candles into outdoor-ready bulbs. The entire wax must be removed, and the roots must regrow. Most people who force-grow bulbs typically discard them afterwards. Moreover, never compost bulbs if you plan to grow them inside.
How to Get Started with Wax Candle Bulb Gardening
Peeling the Wax Candle
First off, the good news is that the wax doesn't stick to the paper-like outer layers of the bulb. The first step is simply peeling it back until you reach the pale center of the bulb. Remove the outer layers the way you would with an onion, separating the layers until you reveal the center.
Once you've peeled the bulb, slice off the basal plate with a sharp knife, as shown in the image above. This plate is what produces the roots, and removing it sends the bulb the signal to start growing and producing shoots. It's also useful to provide the bulb with a flat surface to rest on.
Cutting the Root Plate
The bulb contains what's known as a basal plate, from which the roots grow. By removing it, the bulb receives the signal to start blooming and producing shoots immediately. It's also helpful to provide the bulb with a flat surface to rest on – simply slice off the basal plate with a sharp knife, just above the roots and below the bulb itself.
Soaking and Drying
The fascinating thing about grown bulbs is that they retain all the moisture they need from the bulb itself. As a result, once they've matured, they don't need water anymore. However, before they're ready for planting, they need to be soaked. Simply fill a bowl with warm water and let the bulbs soak for four to eight hours, making sure not to over-soak them. After soaking, let the bulbs dry on a towel for a few hours. The bulb itself won't dry out; only the surface needs to be dried.
Once you've soaked and dried the bulbs, prepare wax, cold water for soaking, and aluminum foil.
Preparing for Wax
There are various kinds of wax available, such as soy, paraffin, and even the wax used in colored pencils. The reviews I've found suggest that any type of wax can be used. I typically prefer soy wax, which can be easily purchased online. You only need one or two pounds, and you can color it using special dyes. (Or you can simply use colorless soy wax.) Just melt the wax in a microwave-safe container—I find clear plastic food containers the perfect size. If you don't have any handy, removing the wax from a container intended for other purposes can be challenging. Make sure the candle is deep enough that most of the bulb is submerged during melting. Pour in soy wax flakes and heat in 30-second intervals in the microwave, then stir between heatings. This process takes approximately six minutes, ensuring the wax is completely melted. No stirring is needed.
Before you begin soaking, prepare a bowl filled with cold water.
Dipping the Bulb
Hold the flower bud at the bulb's top and gently place it in the melted wax, going just under an inch to the stem. Hold it there for a few seconds, then gently pull it out and allow the excess wax to drip off onto the tin foil below. Ensure that you don't leave any wax streaks on the bulb – this step should make the wax harden. Gently blot the moist bulb with a kitchen towel to prevent the melted wax from sticking to it.
Dip the bulb gently in the wax, leaving about an inch of space from the top of the bulb. After dipping a few times, let it sit on the tin foil, where it will start to harden. Dip the bulb three to four times in total.
When you remove it for the final dip, make sure not to leave any excess moisture on the bulb – simply place it gently on the tin foil and allow the remaining wax to harden. Then let the bulb sit until the wax is completely cool and dry.
Place it in a Sunny Spot
Position the bulb close to a window to allow it to grow. You'll likely start to notice the green shoots appearing in about ten days.
Infuse Your Creativity with Bulb Gardening
If you're itching for creative ideas, you might want to look into alternatives to growing bulbs in candle containers. For instance, wax candles with seeds embedded in the labels, like those from The Growing Candle, can offer a unique and eco-friendly touch. Once the wax is gone, the label can be planted to grow wildflowers.
There are also various ways to plant Amaryllis bulbs in wax candles, as well as general tips for planting bulbs. While growing bulbs in candle containers is not a standard practice, the joy of seeing your plants bloom throughout the winter months can be an exciting endeavor.
So, if you've run out of conventional gardening ideas, give bulb gardening in wax candles a try – you might be surprised by the satisfying results!
